Country's first stray dogs sanctuary established in Peshawar.

PESHAWAR -- No doubt, dogs are popular across the globe for their faithfulness, but, are dangerous and rather more fatal when they become rabid.

A stray or rabid dog can be anywhere and, Peshawar has a huge problem with free-roaming dogs so the city is struggling with ways to manage the issue.

No one knows how many street dogs are there in Peshawar. Rabies is endemic in dogs and every year people die of this disease though small in number in the city.

Zeba Masood, a US citizen of Pakistani origin has established first sanctuary of stray dogs in posh University Town area of Peshawar.

The facility known as Lucky Animal Protection Centre is the first of its kind that was established to save street dogs from beating, maltreatment and malnourishment.

'I set up the sanctuary to provide protection and shelter to maltreated, beaten, and starving stray dogs,' Zeba Masood said.

'It makes me sick and breaks my heart to see all stray animals on roads in pathetic conditions,' Zeba Masood said and added that these street dogs have increased the risk of dog bite cases that may lead to fatal disease rabies.

'Our goal and mission is to eradicate rabies from Peshawar as well as the whole KP province through the mass vaccination of stray and owned dogs, and reducing animal overpopulation through spay or neuter and adoption programs while providing temporary shelter to stray, injured and abandoned animals, husband of Zeba, Masood said.

Monthly expenditure of the facility including rent, food, vaccinations and medical supplies amounts to about Rs. 250,000. These expenses are incurred by her family, friends, animal lovers and concerned citizens of...